is yoga an election issue?

September 25th, 2008 by vanessa Posted in Executive Publisher, independent media, small mags

IT IS WHEN THE FUTURE OF CANADIAN MAGAZINES IS AT STAKE.

If the proposed changes to Canada Post’s Publications Assistance Program (PAP) go through, magazines across Canada will suffer immeasurably. Postage costs will be prohibitive. Many small and independent publications will not survive.

The PAP has been a cornerstone of federal cultural policy for decades. With the dominance of US-produced content on our newsstands, programs like the PAP allow Canadian content to thrive and the original work of our writers, artists, editors and designers to get to readers across this country.

We’re in trouble, though.

This 100% federally owned Crown Corporation has unilaterally decided to undercut the PAP. This will make it impossible for Canadian magazines, especially small independent ones like ascent magazine who bring together yoga, art and social issues, to distribute their original content. If we want to ensure a thriving cultural climate and industry, engage the voices of our artists, citizens, pioneers, luminaries, and yes, our yogis…. it is definitely the time to act.

Act NOW - write to your MP and make this an election issue.

Take a look at this provocative youtube parody ~ A renowned Quebec artist applies for an grant and faces difficulties and misunderstandings galore. Painfully funny.

Says Magazines Canada, “The PAP helps ensure that more than 70 per cent of the magazines delivered by subscription are Canadian and have over 80 per cent Canadian content…..If Canada Post is permitted to cut its financial support, Canadian magazines will see a 40 per cent increase in postage costs. The cost of magazine subscriptions will increase, foreign magazines will be advantaged over Canadian ones and some magazines will no longer be available at all.”

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